Peaceful Valley Pollinator Brassica Blend (lb)

Bring early-season flowers to your orchard with this five-component brassica cover crop blend. Developed for California almond orchards, it combines daikon radish, three mustard components, and canola to provide early-season forage for honeybees. Fall planting is intended to produce bloom from early February through March in California, with actual timing depending on weather and establishment.

Sold by the pound, this mix suits managed orchard alleys and dedicated cover crop plantings where flowering fits the crop calendar. Plan both the bloom period and termination before sowing so the stand supports your pollinator goals without unwanted reseeding.

This blend combines daikon radish, white mustard (Bracco), yellow mustard, oriental mustard, and canola to create a diverse flowering cover crop for orchard alleys. The brassicas provide early-season pollen and nectar for honeybees, while their leafy growth helps cover the soil and compete with weeds. Daikon radish contributes a strong taproot that can help loosen compacted soil, and the mix’s roots and plant residue add organic matter as they break down. Together, these components support pollinator forage and soil care in a single planting.

Percentages are by seed weight, not expected flower coverage. VNS white mustard is an approved substitute when Bracco is unavailable; consult the current seed label for the lot supplied.

Features & Characteristics

• Primary purpose: early-season honeybee forage in flowering cover crop plantings.
• Regional fit: developed for California almond orchards.
• Expected bloom: early February–March following suitable fall establishment in California.
• Seed treatment: untreated and uncoated.
• Inoculant: not required. This blend contains nonlegume brassicas.
• Organic status: conventionally produced; not available as a certified organic mix.

Planting & Care

When to plant: sow in October–November in California for early-spring bloom. Adjust plans to local conditions; the supplier has not provided a planting calendar for every region.

Seeding rate: broadcast or drill 10–15 lb per acre. At that rate, 1 lb covers approximately 2,900–4,350 square feet, equivalent to about 0.23–0.34 lb per 1,000 square feet. Calculate seed needs using the area actually planted, rather than the entire orchard acreage when only alleys are seeded.

Planting depth: ¼ inch. Prepare an even, weed-free seedbed, distribute seed uniformly, and ensure good seed-to-soil contact. Keep adequate moisture available for establishment. The supplier identifies the components as compatible for planting together; separate sowing is not required.

Management: allow flowering where permitted to support visiting bees, then terminate before seed set. Monitor the stand as it matures and schedule termination around the following crop.

Useful Information

Regional planting check: the supplier flags potential brassica-growing restrictions in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and other seed-production areas. Confirm local requirements before ordering or allowing the mix to flower. Oregon growers should consult the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s canola guidance.

Ordering: sold in 1-lb units. Supplier-direct shipping is available for orders of 50 lb or more.

See our cover crop preparation guide for general seedbed guidance. Product images are illustrative; actual field appearance varies with growing conditions.